A Fantastic Woman

Marina Vidal is a transgender woman whose life is turned upside down when the man she is dating dies suddenly. After complaining of dizziness one night, Marina rushes Orlando to hospital, but they can’t save him. Since he is rich, twice her age and has fresh bruises, and she is transgender, the authorities suspect that she is a prostitute who killed him in self-defence...

Marina is continually insulted, marginalised and the target of suspicion – not just from the police, but also from Orlando’s family. He hadn’t told any of them about their relationship, and this shock adds a bitterness to their grief, which they take out on Marina. Some of Orlando’s family are sympathetic but are often hostile, even violent, and all are keen to have her out of Orlando’s house (and their lives) as fast as possible. She is even excluded from the funeral, and asked: ‘Can’t you think of other people’s pain?’

This is a sensitive and thoughtful film, exploring the way transgender people are treated by others and the authorities, as well as how transgender people resist and cope. Marina is played by Daniela Vega, a Chilean transgender actress who gives an incredibly strong performance for one so new to films. An engaging film, and definitely well worth a watch!

Natalie Tyldesley-Marshall